Load-measuring device



Oct 30, 1928. 1,689,644

F. J. TROLL LOAD MEASURING DEVI CE Filed May 8. 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 1,689,644 F. J. TROLL LOAD MEASURING DEVICE Filed May a. 1922 2 Shoots-Shoot 2 4 1 E m 1' S Patented Oct. 30, 1928 UNITED STATES 1,689,644 PATENT OFFICE.

FREDERICK J. TROLL, 0F BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, ASSIGNOR TO THE LOADOMETER COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

LOAD-MEASURING DEVICE.

Application filed may 8,

In view;of the legal restrictionsas to maximum total load carriedby vehicles and'maximum loadper inch Qftllef' width-which are going into effect in the various States on account: of the damage; which has been done to the-road by overloaded vehicles, the necessity -fo r.- load indicating apparatus a on the majority ofheavy trucks has been-recognized by themajority of manufacturers. but .the apparatus. of thisnature; has .proved objectionable-to the manufacturers-and users of these tracks on account of. its complication, its. cumbersome nature andrits lack of reliability: and tendency :to- 'get. outof=order,- also theexpense of "such apparatus 1 ot the! otherwise r'nost acceptable type has been so consideralilel as 1 to .-:detert1"-nckmanufacturers from adoptingits; The-present invention relates to a.- load indioator-lfoi -trucksby .w;hich thes'e v'anious gdiflicultiesnare '-;dverco1ne. the apparatus: being of extremelycheap", simple and-light'consti'uc'tion. i- I"i-. :'l self =.'.-Theoreticallyatheivehicle springs are flexed to a;degree whicli is ipropiirtionateitmthe load, and: the-ihvntiom-relates to: a devicfiwhere: by the load is determined by .znea suningmr indieatinm ;the distance 401'. iiafiations'iotz the distance @roinfi'the' body to. themxle: or wheel centers one: quantity which fisapropontionate the'retogfi 313:; 5.? E ik viii "AI difliculty'which 'is incident to measuring agloa'd in-this way=is due to the: act that the frictional resistance oi the springs,- i-'.= e., the friction 1 'be'tfweea the spring leaves,: in part overcomes the tendency: of: the load to "flex the springs, and. the maximum-: flex'ing OfstliB springs due to the loadwdoes not .takevplace until the'truck has been drivenifar enough to overcome I this frictional resistance, this being brought about by the vibration and-.jar ring which takes place: whilethe; truck. is 'in motion; resultingin a= springsettlement.

This spring settlement'is a-i-source of inconvenience in use because :it is frequently found that after the truck has been driven the load which appeared to be perfeetly legitimate is in fact excessive and must be reduced. To overcome this "difficulty in the present instance, means have been provided in connection with the indica-tor'whereby' a corrected reading isobtained-before the truckhas been moved, which is equal or substantially equal to the reading whi'ch will be obtained after the truck has been driven and the frictional' resistance-of the springs has thereby been 1922. Serial No. 559,151.

overcome. I have found that on most trucks of smail capacity practically no springsettlement'takes place. In such :1 truck it is therefore not at present considerednecessary to provide means for compensating for the spring settlement on small trucks.

Another objection to the previous'instruments of the type which is actuated by the flexing of the springs. to indicate the load, has been due to the fact that they are subject to the vibration of the road so that-they are continually in operation throughout the trip, the entire apparatus'being subject t0=.;ma'ny thousandtimes the wear which takes placein actual use, -i e.-,in indicating the-load: when readings. are desired. To ,overcome this difficulty l'have-devised means whereby the apparatus is: held znormallyieout of operation being placed inoperative position at the will-of theoperator and-only ;whena reading: is;. d esired, being thrown; OtltyOf operation-auto.- matidally after ,thereadinghas been obtained. ----In;the accompanying drawingl hHVCfllllllS? trated ilojad jndicatin g apparatusembodying my invention. :1; .5

lu-the drawing--21 J. ,7 :.z Figured; a side elevation 'pa'rtly.- in sec: tion sh'owing-the; rear axle uappo'rtion of.- the frame-and the :dash of a truck-to which. my indicator--is-- 'a.pplied; 1. 1. 1-1- Fi ure:2;is a. similar View showing a modifiedfo'rmof theE-apparatus; Figure 3 is a--sifmilari View: showing istill anotherform-pw 2;; Figure 4-i'sanelev tionaof -an-iindieating instrument of 5 the: simpler; form; having no correcting feature,--.pa rticularl-y adapted to beuse'd -o'n a-small truck' where no spring settlement takes place; 1

Figure 5-is,:a'front elevation of an instrument havingwtwo; scales, one embodying the aforesaidcorrection; -i 1 Figure-6 is a side elevation showing both ofthelatterinstruments; F igure'7 is a front elevation of an instrument'having still another correcting means; Figure 8-is a front elevationshowing still another instrument having-also inc-luded'in Figures 2 and 3 an improved indic'atingdevice'whereby the instrument is-held insensitive while not in use and then relieved of the road vibration; Z

Figure 9 is a side elevation of the same. Rcferring to the drawings by-numera-ls, particularly Figures 1, 2 and-3, the illustra-.

tion includes a truck under frame 1, vehicle springs 2; axle 3 'which'-is preferably the rear axle, and wheels 4; the load indicating apparatus referring particularly to Figure 1 consists 'of 'a thrust rod 46 which slides in ..a vertical guide 7, the rod being secured at its lower end to the rear axle 8. The sliding end 9 of the thrust rod is connected to a flexible shaft or thrust member: 10 which maybe of the type known commercially as the Bowden-wire. This consists of a tubular member 12,-connected-atone end to the slide guide 7 and at the opposite end to the indicator box 14.: Inside the tube is a Wire cable which fits the tube with a-suliicient degree of snugness to prevent kinking, the wire or cable being of sufliciently hard metal so that the tendency to kink is reduced to the minimum without sacrificing the flexibility which is requisite to free passage oi the wire through the tube, permitting it to conform to the -bends,"i t pentectly feasible to bend the tube and 'vvireto: conforni' to -the conditions presented permittingit-to follow the frame of lthe truck and I beconveniently placed as in the eornepoicne of thefilongitudinal channels-as shown; Theben'ds are preferably smooth'zandof a sufiicient radius, but it is feasible to connect the apparatus to the rear axle :uti'li'iin g the vertical 'thrusb =o the-axle relative tothe' frame and'to turn: the shaft to -a' horizonta l direction so that it will run alon the' frame-"and :to turn it npward verticalg from a the :hopizontalhtothe 5 indicator box on the dash. In Figures 2 and 3 I have shown anapparat-us which; is: normally ont of operatiom so that ii't is qniescentp'avoiding w'wear and vibrm tion while the twc'k is'iin motion} This 'ap a;- ratus as shown includes w flesible'shafti or tlirust meni'ber '1 6 mdnnted: Gil i/he fraine connected at one prid -toan indicator box-17 6111 the dash 'anda-t the other :end 130- the axle 3. The connections provide-l'sufiicient playsd'that byz-means of aspriizg 18 which takesixp-the playfinza directidn opposite to the indicating thrust; t-he vs orki-ng,parts are held out of operation except when the fieXible shaft is drawn forward into operativeposition; 1 taking up the play i in the: opposite direction against the tension of the;spring. As soon as the tension on the sha-ft isi released the spring withdraws :the' shaft, placing 'the parts in inoperative position; vA similartde vice," the: arts recited being indicated by similar re erence' characters; is shownin Figure- 3', the connections between the flexible shaft and the rear-axle being different.

Referring tothe details of the aforesaid connection-"as disclosed in Figure 2, I have shown a-bell crank lever 20,'pivoted on the frame at 21, having an upright arm 22 connected' to the'thrust rod. 23 which: forms an end or extension-of fiexibile: shaft 15, the

flexible-shaft 10 in pipe 12. The said upright arm is also connected by the tension spring 18 to a stationary point 25 on the frame, the spring leading in adirection from arm 20 opposite to that of shaft 15. The spring tends to draw the shaft rearwardly away fronithe indicator box. The other or substantially horizontal arm of the bell crank lever 26 is pivotally connected at its swinging end with a depending connecting rod 28 which carries at its'opposite end a piston or stop member-29, whichslides in adash pot or cylinder '30 extending upwardly from the axle-on which it is mounted bynieans of a ball and socket joint '31. The cylinder-or dash :pot 30 has a suitablezcap 32 which: prevents the escape of the piston or stop:member 29. Thevobject of this structure is-to provide'sufiicient play between the indicator in "strument proper 17 and the rear axle so that i the apparatus will not be normally orzcontinually in operation when no reading is de sired. lThe piston .or stop 29', as will beun derstood, slides freely up- -and: downrin'dihe cylinder'or dash=-pot, orwhatever' guide-30 may be used, the exact form of the guide be ing immaterial? The spring '18--draws the flexible shaft backwards, tending to depress the piston towards the bottom of-theicylinder orignide. Whenever a reading is desired the shaft 15 or flexible member :inside-thewshaft which is connected to .the indicator is drawn forward giving a maximum. reading;- as hereinafter described; The shaft is athenxreleased and: withdrawn in' response to the itensioni .orE the-ispringas. .i 4111 Figure 3.1 have shown as *PfllifilOffihG connecting means, a bellcra'nlndever 20- 2 m oted .-at '21, "havin an upright; arm. 22 =con-. nected to the shad: 15 and oppositely =toitlie springf lfi: I have also'shbwima substantially horizontal arm 26, but instead. oi the telescop- ,connection compr isingz sliding guide for piston: and pistonzrod or dash-.pot-EZS), 30; Ihave provided play-by means of: a :fle x ibleioonnection "or cable 35,;the' same beingrfastened-at one end sto the swinging end of the arm-:26 and at the other endto the rear=axle-3z 1 In F igure t- I have shown an'indi-cating instrument ofth e type which is particularly adapted for-use on trucks. of small capacity where! no compensating means need :besprovidedfor. spring -settlement,-- the reading: on the one-dial being approximately the .same both before and after the truck' has? been driven, this-is part of tlieazappa-ratus shown in.-Figur.e 1 the flexible wire=cablei 15 terminating'in an indicator rod 37 sliding in suitable guides and-carrying a handor pointer 38 which extends through slot 36 and moves over a dial-39 having suitable graduations 40 in pounds or tons. The indicatinginstrument 41 shown-in Figure 5 is-similar to the one shown in Figure-4 except that'it has -'a corrected scale 42 to be read before moving 52-: -parallel-ito-"th'e :motion; of.

-the-truck;--i and a"scale- 43;tobe read after moving-thet-ruckw:The-scale 42 is referred to herein-as having the requisite corrections to provide; for spring friction or. settlement. :In Figure 6.1L have shown the top guide 44 for the rod 37, and I have also shown a carrier 45 for. theindicator handi 38 thesame being mounted toslidealong the rod'iand held in .set screw-46 which also holds the handy-w e i z-Ini'Figure-T'I havesho'wn an indicating instrumentfiOzwhichis imfieet like theinstrument 14 shown in Figure 4; except. that it-embodies .still another systei'ntof correction-.-.- In this-instrument in :addition to the sliding rod 37 and indicatorrhand 38. moving on the dialI39 iI ,have' .shbwnra scale. 51. which is -mounted: LOH slide in. 5 suitable guide ways the indicator; the scale :5]J.;being: heldagainstastop 53 by means of a5 spring- 542- wliichhzbears at one end:" against.-sa.--suita ble: abutment 55 onthe scale whicltisaextendeduin uthei; form ..of a

.: handlei56za nd'at: the; other'endiagainst: a-zstop 57. onrai r6d1=58qwhioh is alsorparallel to) the m ion of theindicating hand apdiwhich cani at .ilQWe. :-:n i aestop-igafor thesc le LEhe, p,ring= tQi no auallyzhold. the scale in its upper positiorri-wglnch; maynbe termed the corrected-position or measuring thee-lead'b fo eithei-lttuflifha e n driven- When the truck has been driven and the spring friction has been overcome and the spring settlement has taken place, the load may be measured by pressing down on the handle 56 which moves'the scale down into position againstthestop- .59 which position is suitable for. measuring the load by the greater flexing off the springs due to the spring settlement. The stop 59 is made adjustable up and down the'shaft 58, the stop being held in proper position by set screw 60.

In Figures 8 and 9 I have shown an indicating instrument intended to be used with the apparatus; shown. in Figures 2' and 3. The same consists of a dial '39 having an indicator pointer 38, but this indicator or pointer is carried on a sliding rod 62 which moves up and down in suitable bearin being connected with the flexible shaft '15. The rod 62 corresponds to the rod 37 in'Fi ure 4, the same being actuated by the exible Bowden wire thrust shaft or other suitable connections 15 and 16 aforesaid. Secured to this member 15 is a .collar 64 provided with a handle or hook65 which projects outside the casing through a slot 66. Normally the connecting member 15 is withdrawn'by the spring 18 so that the members 28, 29, 30 or 35, referring to both Figures 2 and 3, do not transmit any motion, being thereby rendered inoperative, on account of the back lash or play which is thus made effective, the pointer remaining at or below zero. To obtain a reading the handle or hook 65 is drawn upward by hand overcoming complet ly the tension of the spring 18-, which is very weak taking up the back-lash or play and placingthe parts in. operative position, giving a reading as if the connection from the rear axle to the indicating boxwere rigid. In this. way the desired maximum readin-g.-may be easily attained. As soon as theemaximum reading is noted the hook is released and the spring 182- withdraws the shaft, a'g'ain:;making the backlash efi'ective sothe parts arestationary; s 1 Ihavethus described specificallyand in detail a single-machine embodying my-inI- ventionin-order that the nature and operation of the-device may be' clearly: understood, however; .the; specific terms herein: are used descriptively'rather than inalimitin sense, the scope-of. the invention-being. de ned; :in .the claimsir r 1-1: Whati Iiclaim; and. desire :to securelby- :Letters Patentris'zw 1.

--3.'::-. =21 io'1. -iIn.a..,road vehicle having ,=a,= body: and wheels, springs for supportingathezvehicle body onatheiwheelgfia flexible thrust; rod and means: for communicating-.1 to; therthrust .rod the yariation inrelative' posi,tionbetween the ivel ieleubody iand-i the; wheels due.- toaflexing cf; heisprings', ansi aaai ic t ngi ins rument readingan termswfithe load-c nneqtedt -j a d thrustiimi toab actuatedath ebymz 2. In combination with a road vehicle having wheels and a body supporting frame, an axle and springs supporting the frame on the axle; a weight indicating instrument and means connecting said instrument to the axle comprising a flexible thrust member for communicating the relative motion between the wheel and the body supporting frame to said indicating instrument, said connecting means providing a considerable degree of play permitting said connection to become inoperative to transmit said motion to the instrument, means tending to withdraw said connection from operative position so that said relative motion of the body frame and wheels communicate no motion to the thrust member and means whereby said connection may be moved against the tendency of said withdrawing means at the will of the operator making said connections operative whereby {he said instrument is caused to indicate the oad.

3. In combination with a road vehicle hav ing wheels, an axle and a body supporting frame and springs supporting the frame on the axle, a weight indicating instrument and means connecting said instrument to the axle comprising a flexible thrust rod and means for communicating the relative motion between the wheel and the body supporting frame to said thrust rod providing a considerable degree of play permitting said connection to move to inoperative position and means tending to withdraw said connecting means from operative positioniso-that said rel-a'tive mot-i'on ofth'e body frameand wheels norm-ally eommnnimies no mio'tionfto the t ln'ust'men'i-ber and means under the control of the operator {or talking up said hack lash in theopposiibe direction against said tendency,i.ma.kingsaid "connections oper-ative wheneby the said instminent is caused to indioate the load; :said' connectioncomsprising IL-bell crank level, one surin of which is 13011- neoted to the thrust rod and collapsible means connecting the other arm to the wheel axle v 4;. In .a. load indicator for a road-vehicle, having a :bodyand wl'ieels,':aniindicating instrument-, means for z comniimicaitingz t-he variation i :inrelative position flaetween .-the wheels and the vehicle-body tonsnid instrument, =safid 'i nstmaments having graidtiiitions which read an tourism-f the entire load 'beioi'e the truck is moved from thesposition ofloading and also means providing-n. 'cor rected scale to read in terms of flie'l'dadlafter the truck has-been moved to compensate for the spring: settlement;

5. In a snail vehicle hz ving wheelgis body supporting frame-slid isprings supporting the frame onthe wheels, an-indicating instrument and means for communicating 'to said inst-ruinent tih'e variation in. position be tween said-frame a nd said wheels, the instrument haying graduations and indicating agesee ie it was loaded and after the Vehicle has been run carrying the load.

'6. In a load indicator for a wheeled road vehicle, anzindicating instrument, means for communicating the variation-in relative p0- sition between the vehicle body and the wiieels'to said instrumentand means reading in terms' o f theloaxi before and afterv spring settlement.

'7. In combination with-a road vehicle having -wheels and-a body, springs supporting the frame on'the wvheels in indicating instrumen't, means including i1 lflexilile' monoction tolsaid-ini'licating instrmment whereby the variation: of position -'bet-w\een tn'eabody and" the wheels is :eommaanicated" 3:0 1 said imstrument, said connection providing a' consi'derahle degree of play, 'ni'eans'ior taking up said play in one: direction I throwing the instrument out oizoperairionisndzmeans operable st thewill of the opei ator for taliing up the play in the olaposibe direction, causing the instrument to indicate.

Signed by me at Baltimor Marylmnd t-his 4th (my of April, 1922.

e I FREDERICK J. InoLL 

